Here's Why Allbirds Shoes Are So Popular (2024)

Allbirds stepped onto the footwear scene in 2016 with the lofty claim of making the "world's most comfortable shoe." Weaving merino wool with basic silhouettes, the brand's signature sneakers tout a "cloud-like" feel widely agreed upon by shoppers. In fact, Allbirds has long been a reader and editor favorite at Good Housekeeping, both for wearing and gifting.

Still, Allbirds makes a lot of bold claims about everything from comfort to sustainability to ease of use (no socks needed and machine-washable!). Trying everything from clothing to footwear, our fiber scientists couldn't wait to put them to the test in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. Our experts evaluated Allbirds firsthand, wash-testing multiple pairs, and we surveyed dozens of real-life users for feedback on the brand’s various styles.

After reviewing over 1,330 data points, we determined that Allbirds really are worth buying. Read on to see what we found and get answers to the frequently asked questions about the comfort sneakers.

Are Allbirds really that comfortable?

Yes! As a whole, the brand's shoes are exceptionally comfortable. In our consumer survey, 65 people of varying shoe sizes, genders and style preferences rated the shoes as comfortable to wear. In fact, 91% gave the shoes a perfect rating for comfort.

The Wool Runners are Allbirds' most popular style. Made with merino wool, the material is softer than regular wool and has temperature-regulating properties. Consumers say "it literally feels like you're walking on clouds when you're wearing them," and "they're the comfiest pair of sneakers I own." The only downside? A few said the wool made their feet sweat in warmer weather.

Most users say the shoes run true to size. The majority of the styles are available in whole sizes (8–14 for men and 5–11 for women). If you're in between sizes, it's best to size up. The sneaker styles are also good for people with wide feet because the upper fabric is flexible.

Are Allbirds shoes good for walking?

Allbirds are great walking shoes. Whether you're traveling, running errands or wearing them for everyday use, Allbirds feel comfy even after walking for miles. Just keep in mind: Most styles, like the Wool Runners, are not intended to be athletic sneakers and don’t have the built-in arch support or traction of workout shoes designed for high-impact activities.

If you're looking for a performance shoe, the Dashers are your best bet. It's also worth noting that some users said the brand's Breezers ballet flats felt less supportive overall and more snug in the toes (which is expected for a pair of flats), so this particular style isn't an ideal walking shoe.

Should you wear socks with Allbirds?

You certainly can wear socks if you prefer, but you don’t have to. The sneakers don’t itch or irritate when you go sock-free and most people on our panel told us the shoes don't smell or have any odor after use. The Wool styles are mostly made of merino wool, which doesn’t absorb odors the way synthetic fibers like polyester do, and the Tree styles use a breathable mesh fabric on the top with a merino wool liner on the insole.

So yes, you can absolutely go sock-less, but if you can't bear the thought, the brand also sells socks specifically designed for wear with Allbirds shoes after they learned that nearly 50% of Allbirds owners opt to wear socks with the brand's sneakers. But, you can also wear any type of socks you prefer with the shoes.

Are Allbirds long lasting?

Yes. We found that they held up surprisingly well to repeated use. One textiles expert had the same pairs for years — though they noticed other sneakers tend to wear away on the soles, they haven't had this issue with Allbirds.

Are Allbirds eco-friendly?

While no shoes are actually beneficial to the environment — i.e. all products have at least some negative impact — Allbirds does take a sustainable approach in the materials used for its shoes. The merino wool is considered a natural fiber and follows ethical standards, while the “Tree” fabric is made of Tencel lyocell.

The brand says the Tree styles are made of “tree fiber,” but there’s actually no such thing. Tencel lyocell is regenerated cellulose, meaning wood pulp from the trees that are chemically processed to turn it into a fiber. It's not totally synthetic, but it’s not “natural,” either. Still, it’s considered sustainable in the textiles industry because it uses less toxic chemicals that get recycled in the production process, and the wood is from trees in sustainably harvested forests.

Allbirds also uses other sustainable materials like recycled water bottles for the polyester in the laces, recycled cardboard that makes up 90% of the packaging, sugar cane in the foam sole and castor bean oil in the insole.

How do you wash Allbirds?

First, you'll need to remove the insoles and laces and brush off any excess dirt. The brand recommends placing the shoes in a linen bag or a pillowcase and machine washing in cold water on the delicate cycle with gentle detergent. Compared to a typical delicates bag, a solid fabric bag will provide more protection, according to Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forte.

"[It helps] keep the wool shoe fabric from rubbing up against both the washer drum and other clothing items in the load," she says. "Plus, a linen bag or pillowcase have more structure than a soft, flimsy mesh bag does, so it also may help keep the shoes in better shape."

Don't put them in the dryer: The brand specifies that you should let them air dry. Heat and agitation from the dryer can cause felting, shrinkage and wear and tear with wool.

When we wash-tested both Wool and Tree styles in the Lab, they held up well in the washing machine, though the Wool style took over 24 hours to dry and showed more signs of wear than the Tree fabric. We also weren’t able to get rid of dark marks on the white fabric and sole of the Tree Runners that had been worn during a week-long vacation. If you’re worried about that kind of thing, we suggest going with a darker color.

Pro tip: It is safe for Allbirds to get wet — after all, they’re machine washable! — but they're not waterproof, so don’t wear them in rainy weather. They won't get damaged, but your feet will get wet and the shoes will take a while to dry. The exception is the brand's Mizzles, which have a water-repellent finish.

Which Allbirds style is best?

The brand makes a variety of shoe styles in either merino wool or "Tree fabric," a.k.a Tencel, a manufactured fiber that uses wood pulp from trees as the raw material. All the styles are available in classic colors that lean neutral (like white and gray) along with limited edition colors. Here are the styles you can choose from right now:

• Runners: These basic sneakers are the brand's most popular design. You can get Wool or Tree Runners for men and women. Our testers chose the Wool Runners as the comfiest sneakers in their rotation, plus versatile enough for social outings and work. Its flexible toe box and cushion bed lend it a "walking-on-clouds" reputation. The Tree Runners kept a tester supported all day while walking for 12 miles. If you have a trip coming up, the 2024 GH Travel Award-winning Superlight Tree Runners make the perfect walking shoes, thanks to their reliable comfort and stylish design. Our reviewers unanimously praised its lightweight feel and appearance, with one saying: "They don't weigh me down when I am walking or running like my regular sneakers do."

• Flyers: The latest addition to the Allbirds line-up offers a bit more spring in your step. Designed with a lifted cushion sole, Tree Flyers became our pros' go-to everyday lifestyle sneaker. It's available in the brand's breezy Tree fabric in both men's and women's sizes. One textiles expert appreciates the flexible upper but prefers the sneaker for walking over running. The fabric can rub against the toes and cause discomfort. However, the latest iteration, the Tree Flyers 2, boasts more stability in the toe box.

• Pipers: This classic take on streetwear silhouettes is available in two cozy designs: Wool Pipers and Tree Pipers. Our Textiles analyst tested the Tree Pipers, a combination of an athletic shoe and an everyday shoe, and found they nailed the comfort and fit mark. Thanks to their lightweight, stretchy knit fabric, they make a great spring or summer shoe. Another one of our editors tried the Wool Pipers and found them more comfortable than most shoes they've owned, saying, "I stash them under my work desk for whenever I want to give my feet some relief."

• Dashers: These slip-on running sneakers have more stability on top and more cushioning on the bottom. They come in the Fluffs or Tree fabric for men and women, and unlike the other styles, they're available in half sizes. They earned the top spot for one of our editors who loves the brand's sculpted footbed. The pair holds up well on different terrains while offering great foot support on a run.

• Couriers: These are Allbirds' nod to the resurgence of the vintage sneaker trend. More fashion-forward than the rest of the Allbirds line-up, the slim silhouette features clean lines propped up by a platform sole. The Couriers come in the brand's four staple monochromatic colorways — both women's and men's sizes.

• Loungers: These slip-on shoes look like a cross between a laceless sneaker and a slipper. They also comes in Wool or Tree fabric for men and women. They feel so lightweight that one tester forgot they even had them on! Unlike similar styles out there, these slip on easily and hug, not rub, your ankles.

• Skippers: These slimmer, lighter sneakers have fewer laces and less coverage than the Runners but offer all-day comfort. They're available for both men and women, but only in the Tree fabric. Our testers generally found they regulated body temperature well. Plus, people enjoyed wearing them without socks.
  

• Breezers: Breathable ballet flats, Breezers are available in the Tree fabric for women. Our testers rated them high for their soft and stretchy material, attesting that "they become one" with their feet. Frequent gym-goers may delight in these as they don't take up much space in gym bags and are easy to change into. We found they provided more support than other popular slipper styles, except you can feel more adventurous in them while looking put together.

• Mizzles: This collection of Wool Runners and Wool Runner-Ups (a high-top version) have a water-repellent finish so you can wear them in wet weather. Although we've yet to test this specific design in our Labs, our testers generally found the hardy style of the comparable Wool Runners easy to wash without losing shape or size.

The final verdict: Yes, Allbirds are worth the money

At just under $100 for most men’s and women’s styles, these sneakers are not exactly inexpensive, but we'll put it this way: Not a single one of the 65 users we surveyed was disappointed with their Allbirds purchase.

On top of that, our reviewers said the shoes were worth the price and they’ve held up to a lot of wear (with a few knocks on the all-white styles, which are harder to keep clean). The best part is that the brand offers a free 30-day trial so you can get a full refund if don't love them, even after they've been worn.

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